Therapeutic Platform

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a therapeutic platform that can be used to strengthen the core and secondary muscle groups via a variety of exercises which incorporate or centrally use the platform, while also providing a portable, lightweight and convenient platform, which includes storage for items used or associated with exercises incorporating the platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent—61/430,968 Filed—Jan. 8, 2011

Inventors—Brennan Bums & Misti Burns

The benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/430,968 (filedJan. 8, 2011) is claimed, and that provisional application is herebyincorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC.

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This invention relates to a platform used for therapeutic purposes inthe realm of occupational or physical therapy. The present invention isa platform which allows a patient, either with or without the aid of ahealth-care professional or assistant, to strengthen the core andsecondary body muscle groups. The core set of body muscle groups iscritical for the development of children, as well as those that havesuffered development setbacks as a result of disease or injury. Thesecore muscle groups provide the foundation of stability which is criticalfor the transfer of energy from large to small body parts. It alsoimproves balance skills and posture control. The secondary muscle groupsare the smaller body parts, which allow for fine and gross motor skills,particularly in the areas of body and item manipulation. The presentinvention provides a portable and convenient means to address the needsof developing core and secondary muscle groups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a platform that can be used tostrengthen the core and secondary muscle groups of patients via avariety of exercises which incorporate or centrally use the platform,while also providing a portable and convenient platform, which includesstorage for items used or associated with exercises incorporating theplatform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1, shows a drawing of one version of the therapeutic platform.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 shows one possible frame configuration from a top viewand bottom view.

FIG. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of a carrying handle, while

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of one design of a cover of the platform,before placement upon the frame. FIG. 3 is also a view from the bottomof the platform, which shows the storage capabilities of the platform.

FIG. 6 shows the preferred embodiment of the frame in plastic orcomposite material.

DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent invention, reference will now be made to the embodimentillustrated in specific language contained herein. It will,nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modificationsof the described or illustrated embodiments, and any furtherapplications of the principles of the invention as illustrated thereinare contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art towhich the invention relates.

One form of the present invention is focused for use with babies orchildren diagnosed with “Low Muscle Tone”. This typically occurs inearly stages of development and can be caused by severalfactors—including genetics, disease, etc. Therapy for this diagnosisrequires core training and strengthening. This strengthening impactsseveral areas of the child's development including gross motor skills(head, trunk, rotation, range of motion, reciprocal motion and posture);fine motor skills (grasping, dexterity, replacing objects, holdingutensils and pointing), eating, language and speech. The presentinvention, when used with appropriate therapy exercises, is intended toimprove the child's skills mentioned above. Because of the comfortableand inviting nature of the platform, it encourages the child to claim itas ‘their space’ vs. the association with ‘training’. The child willenjoy all the playful activities on the platform—and not just see themas their exercises.

One form of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is to cover asturdy but lightweight frame with a soft and comfortable cover, FIG. 5,attached to the frame via Velcro or other attachment means, with theintent to provide a stable but comfortable surface for the patient tosit or crawl. The frame can be made from any material which provides astable but relatively lightweight foundation, such as wood, plastic,carbon fiber or other composite material. See FIG. 6. While any size orshape could be used, the preferred embodiment is a square approximately2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. As for the height, a minimum height isaround 3 inches, but a preferred embodiment would incorporate the meansby which the height is adjustable to the patient, as several of thetherapy techniques require the patient to sit on the platform, whiletheir feet are flat on the ground.

Once in place, the platform could be used by physical/occupationaltherapists to accomplish the exercises intended to improve the patient'sskills, as noted above. The size, weight and shape of the platformshould provide enough space to accomplish these tasks without beingcumbersome. As such, the present invention would also incorporate ameans in which a therapist or user could comfortably and easily carrythe platform for use at multiple locations. See FIG. 4. This might alsoinclude the introduction of wheels, fixed, removable or retractable, asa means to move the platform. A handle or strap could be incorporated,which could be recessed or attached to the bottom of the platform, tofacilitate movement. Further, the wheels could also, in certain cases,be incorporated into an exercise by allowing the patient to push or rollthe platform. Thus, therapy could be conducted in an easy, safe andefficient manner. The present invention would be comfortable withoutsacrificing the ability to be sturdy enough to complete exercisesappropriately (i.e. stacking cups/blocks while the patient is on theplatform).

The flexibility of the present invention can be further shown by theintroduction of straps or a grasping means incorporated into theplatform, either attached to the frame or cover, to allow the patient toperform pulling or related exercises. In this regard, a means to elevateor incline the platform could be incorporated. For example, the platformcould be used in four stages: 1) flat (platform flat on ground), 2) oneside inclined (to facilitate climbing or grasping exercises); 3) twosides raised (like a table to facilitate climbing onto a flat surface)or 4) wobbly (for intentional instability to work on balance). In thewobbly configuration, there could also be means to adjust the amount ofinstability from less wobbly to more wobbly. This would provide aspectrum of growth for these stability and balance exercises.Additionally, the means to incline, elevate or make instable, could beincorporated in the platform upon initial manufacture or can be addedlater, as an option.

Likewise, storage could be made available on the underside of theplatform, FIG. 3, which would allow a user or therapist to carrydevices, tools, or toys, which could be used in conjunction with theexercises and/or the platform individually. The preferred embodiment ofthe storage portion would be through the use of a cargo-net typeconfiguration, however, other options, for those skilled in the art,would be available as well, such a fixed “beauty plate” which can bemounted to the underside of the platform.

Additionally, the cover of the platform would be removable to facilitateease of cleaning or to allow for a variety of covers, some of which mayinclude therapy elements printed right onto the cover or the ability tofix or remove toys or elements to the cover, which could include anyside of the platform which has cover to it. FIGS. 1, 5. The ability toremove or replace the cover is convenient when trying to prevent thespread of germs or if a patient has an ‘accident’. In that regard thecover could be made of any material, but a non-porous material would bepreferred, such as vinyl, to inhibit germ transfer and ease ofmaintenance. Likewise, due to the non-porous nature of the cover, vents,or other air release means, would be incorporated into the platform toavoid a pillowing effect on the top of the platform as a result of airtrapped under the platform.

Another embodiment of this invention could incorporate a version whichbreaks down into component pieces. FIG. 6. An example may be one inwhich the cover can be removed from the frame and the frame stacked orfolded into a much smaller unit. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which theplatform consists of four pieces, which can be stacked fortransportation. The cover could then be folded and transported easily,along with the frame. Further, all attachments and other elements,previously disclosed, could be incorporated into this version.

Further, the present invention could also be used by parents. Therapytechniques or exercises can be conducted daily, even in the absence ofthe therapist. The child's familiarity and possessive nature regardingthe platform creates a containable play area that is soft and safe. Asthe child gets older, he/she could still utilize the platform as aplay-station or seat for reading. The storage underneath provides aconvenient place to hide the small toys that would otherwise beconsidered ‘clutter’. The present invention is substantial and sturdyenough to be considered an appealing piece of children's furniture; butsmall and convenient enough to be portable. The platform strengthens thechild's core muscles, regardless of beginning ‘tone’, while at play.This constantly helps build the foundation to reach the importantmilestones in the child's first years.

The present invention could also be used independently by patients andis not just limited to children. This platform could also be used bypatients that have suffered development set-backs as a result of diseaseor injury. An exercise regimen incorporating the platform can be used toregain core and secondary muscle group strength which might have beenlost. These could include grasping, pulling or balancing activities.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail withthe foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrativeand not restrictive in character, it being understood that while thepreferred embodiment has been described, that all changes andmodifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desiredto be protected.

What is claimed is: 1) A therapeutic platform comprising: a) a frameconsisting of a rigid lightweight box-like structure which maintains itsposition, with a flat surface on the top, equal height surfaces on thesides and a flat surface on the bottom, which allows the bottom of theframe to sit flat and stable on a second surface; b) a cover whichstretches over, around and attaches to the frame. 2) The platform ofclaim 1 whereby the frame is open on the top, sides and/or bottom toallow for access inside the frame. 3) The platform of claim 1 wherebythe cover is non-porous, is easily removable from the frame andincorporates exercise elements onto the cover. 4) The platform of claim1 further comprising a means to move and transport the platform. 5) Theplatform of claim 1 further comprising a means to elevate or incline theframe from the second surface. 6) The platform of claim 1 furthercomprising a means to make the platform various degrees of unstable byattaching a means to the bottom of the frame, which will interact withthe second surface. 7) The platform of claim 1 further comprising ameans to attach straps or grasping devices to the frame and a means toattach toys or other exercise elements to the cover. 8) A therapeuticplatform comprising: a) a frame consisting of a rigid lightweightbox-like structure which maintains its position, with a flat surface onthe top, equal height surfaces on the sides and a flat surface on thebottom, which allows the bottom of the frame to sit flat and stable on asecond surface; b) a cover which stretches over and around the frame; c)a means incorporated into the bottom surface of the frame to raise theplatform, or a portion thereof, off of the second surface. 9) Theplatform of claim 8 whereby the frame is open on top, sides and/orbottom to allow for access inside the frame. 10) The platform of claim 8whereby the cover is non-porous, is easily removable from the frame andincorporates exercise elements onto the cover. 11) The platform of claim8 whereby the means to raise the platform allows for either an inclineor elevation of the entire platform from the second surface. 12) Theplatform of claim 8 further comprising a means to move and transport theplatform. 13) The platform of claim 8 further comprising a means to makethe platform various degrees of unstable by attaching a means to thebottom of the frame, which will interact with the second surface. 14)The platform of claim 8 further comprising a means to attach straps orgrasping devices to the frame and a means to attach toys or otherexercise elements to the cover. 15) A therapeutic platform comprising:a) a frame consisting of a rigid lightweight box-like structure whichmaintains its position, with a flat surface on the top, equal heightsurfaces on the sides and a flat surface on the bottom, which allows thebottom of the frame to sit flat and stable on a second surface; b) ameans for the frame to go from a fixed and usable position to one whichcomes apart and is stackable, thereby compressing its size from that ofthe fixed and usable position; c) a cover which stretches over andaround the frame; d) a means incorporated into the bottom surface of theframe to raise the platform, or a portion thereof, off of the secondsurface; 16) The platform of claim 15 whereby the frame is open on top,sides and/or bottom to allow for access inside the frame. 17) Theplatform of claim 15 whereby the cover is non-porous, is easilyremovable from the frame and incorporates exercise elements onto thecover. 18) The platform of claim 15 further comprising a means to moveand transport the platform. 19) The platform of claim 15 furthercomprising a means to make the platform various degrees of unstable byattaching a means to the bottom of the frame, which will interact withthe second surface. 20) The platform of claim 15 further comprising ameans to attach straps or grasping devices to the frame and a means toattach toys or other exercise elements to the cover.